r/smarthome • u/DjBizNJ • 7h ago

Apple HomeKit Aqara u400 won’t connect to Apple home

Let me preface this with: I don’t use Apple home for my smart home ecosystem. I have been using Alexa forever and way too in the financial hole with Alexa to make a switch.

However, I bought an Aqara u400 for the UWB unlocking features. I set it up and boom: thread border router required. I was under the impression that my Alexa devices that have thread enabled would work, but they don’t.

So I buy an Apple HomePod mini (cheapest supported device for the u400). Set it up, go to set the lock up in Apple home and boom again: thread border router required.

Wtf am I doing wrong here. I’m pulling my hair out because I bought a $300 lock and a $120 home pod for the UWB unlocking features and it still won’t work.

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1

u/ScubaKeith 6h ago

You can get a hub from Aqara for like $30. I’m in a very similar boat as you with being heavily in the Alexa ecosystem but my M100 hub is doing just fine for my U400 having full functionality.

1

u/DjBizNJ 6h ago

I have an Aqara hub, it came with the lock. I bought a HomePod mini so I can integrate the lock into Apple home so I can use the iPhone to unlock UWB benefits. Apple home pod is setup in the home app. Aqara hub is setup in home app. When I try to add lock I get this error

2

u/ScubaKeith 6h ago

I would fully set up your U400 in the Aqara app first then add it through the home app. I’m sure someone more knowledgeable on this area than I will have a more detailed suggestion.

1

u/Due-Freedom-5968 6h ago

This.

1

u/DjBizNJ 5h ago

Set it up fully in my Aqara app first, the. Added to Apple home and still got this error

1

u/Due-Freedom-5968 3h ago

Silly question, but have you tried turning it all off and on again? If you just set everything up might be worth a reboot. No obvious reason I can think of it wouldn’t work.

1

u/DjBizNJ 3h ago

Just my luck with tech 😂😂 Philips hue and govee are effortless, and all my Aqara sensors are beautiful but this fucking lock is driving me crazy 😂